Indore, Madhya Pradesh - The upcoming film "Haq," starring Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam, is facing a legal challenge just days before its scheduled release on November 7th. Siddiqua Begum Khan, the daughter of the late Shah Bano Begum, has filed a petition with the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, seeking a stay on the film's release.
The film "Haq" is reportedly inspired by the landmark 1985 Supreme Court case of Mohd. Ahmed Khan vs. Shah Bano Begum, a pivotal moment in the fight for women's rights and maintenance laws in India. The case involved Shah Bano, a 62-year-old Muslim woman from Indore, who filed a petition seeking maintenance from her divorced husband, Mohammed Ahmed Khan, a prominent lawyer, in 1978. In 1985, the Supreme Court ruled in Shah Bano's favor, affirming her right to maintenance under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Siddiqua Begum Khan argues that the filmmakers never sought consent from Shah Bano's heirs to portray her life. She contends that the film misrepresents events from her late mother's personal life and commercially exploits her privacy and personality without the legal heirs' consent. According to reports, the legal heirs claim that "Haq" hurts Muslim sentiments and portrays a negative and misogynistic image. They also assert that the filmmakers do not possess any legal rights related to Shah Bano's story.
Siddiqua Begum Khan had previously sent a legal notice to the film's director, Suparn Verma, producers Junglee Pictures and Baweja Studios, and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), demanding an immediate halt to the film's publication, screening, promotion, or release.
During a hearing on Monday, Justice Pranay Verma of the Indore Bench heard arguments from both sides. Junglee Films, one of the producers, argued that the movie carries a disclaimer stating it is a work of fiction and not a biopic. Therefore, they argued, consent from Shah Bano's heirs was not required. Justice Verma asked the counsel representing Junglee Films, "Does it say the movie is fictional?" and directed the filmmakers to place the disclaimer on record.
Advocate Tousif Warsi, representing Siddiqua Begum, stated that using someone's personal life and name without their consent violates their right to privacy, a fundamental right. He emphasized that Siddiqua Begum, Shah Bano Begum's biological daughter, was unaware of the film until the teaser was released.
The court has scheduled further arguments for Tuesday, November 4th. The case proceedings will determine whether "Haq," which also stars Vartika Singh, Danish Husain, Sheeba Chadha, and Aseem Hattangady, will be released as planned on November 7th. The film is produced by Vineet Jain, Vishal Gurnani, Juhi Parekh Mehta, and Harman Baweja under the banner of Junglee Pictures.
The outcome of this legal battle could have significant implications for filmmakers depicting real-life events and the importance of obtaining consent from individuals or their families.
